Banjo



March 22, 1927. 1,621,735

H. E. MENZEMER ET AL BANJO Filed Feb. 13, 1926 INVENTOR. 114E275. Mzwzrnzz.

4H Mmuz; 44152:

ATTORN S.

Patented Mar. 22, 192?.

A'EENT FFHQE.

BANJO.

Application filed Eebrnary 13, 1925.

The present invention relates to improvements in banjos, and its particular object is to provide improved means for stretching the flexible cover made of parchment or similar material across the bowl of the instrument. It is particularly proposed in this connection to hinge the ring normally used for securing the parchment in place, and to provide a very simple means by which tension may be increased by the user without any expert assistance. Further ob ects and advantages of our invention will appear as these specifications proceed.

The preferred form of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 shows a longitudinal section through the head of a banjo, Figure a plan view thereof, and Figure 3 a detailed View illustrating the means for fastening the strings of the instrument.

While we have shown only the preferred form of the invention it should be understood that various changes or modifications may be made within the scope of the claims hereto attached without departing from the spirit of the invention. In its preferred form our musical instrument comprises a bowl or head 1 having a neck 2 extending therefrom in the conventional manner, the head being preferably made of wood and having a suitable bottom 3. At the upper end the diameter of the head is reduced so as to form a ledge 4 and a reduced edge portion 6 adapted to allow the flesh hoop 7 of a parchment cover 8 to be telescoped thereon. A ring 9 is also adapted to telescope over the edge 6 and is formed with a hook 11 adapted to be introduced underneath a loop or staple 12 driven into the material of the banjo at the junction between the head and the neck in such a manner that the hook and the loop cooperate in forming a hinge for the ring 9 and allow the latter to be swung downwardly over the edge 6 of the head for depressing the flesh hoop 7 of the parchment and for holding the same in place whereby the parchment is kept under tension. The front end of the ring terminates in a bracket 13 registering with a stationary bracket 14% and adapted to be drawn toward the latter by means of a bolt 16 and a nut 17 screwed thereon. The strings 18 of the instrument are secured to the ring by being passed through slots 19 in the upper outer edge thereof while knots 21 prevent the strings from being pulled through.

It will be readily seen that the instrument n'iade in accordance with our invention may be easily assembled and disassembled and that the tension of the parchment may be adjusted to any desired degree by the operator without any expert assistance. To assemble the device it is merely necessary to place the parclnnent over the upper edge of the bowl so that the flesh hoop 7 surrounds the upper edge thereof, to then introduce the hook 11 into the loop l2 and depress the far end ot the ring 9 until the two brackets 13 and 14 are suliiciently close that the bolt 16 may be introduced and the nut 1'7 screwed thereon. Tightening of the nut now increases the tension while loosening of the nut releases the tension. It should be noted in this connection that tightening of the nut does not merely tend to depress a section of the flesh hoop 7, but the whole of it since even the section nearest the loop 12 is depressed due to its spacing from the hinge.

We claim:

1. In a banjo, a banjo head, a neck extending therefrom, a membrane for the head, a flesh hoop secured thereto and telescoped over the upper end of the head for holding the membrane in place and a hinged element adapted to bear on the hoop for placing the membrane under tension.

2. A musical instrument as defined in claim 1 in which means are provided for positively adjusting the hing-ed element for increasing the tension on the membrane.

3. In a banjo, a banjo head, a neck extending therefrom, a membrane for the head, a flesh hoop secured thereto and telescoped over the upper end of the head for holding the membrane in place and a ring hinged to the instrument at the joint between the neck and the head, the ring being adapted to be swung downwardly over the upper end of the head so as to bear down on the hoop for placing the membrane under tension.

e. In a banjo, a banjo head, a neck eXtending therefrom, a membrane for the head, a flesh hoop secured thereto and telescoped over the upper end of the head for holding the membrane in place and a ring hinged to the instrument at the joint between the neck and the head, the ring being adapted to be swung downwardly over the upper end of the head so as to bear down on the rim for placing the membrane under tension, and having means associated therewith allowing the tension to be adjusted.

5. In a banjo, a banjo head, a neck extending therefrom, a membrane for the head, a flesh hoop secured thereto and telescoped over the upper end of the head for holding the membrane in place, a loop at the junction between the neck and the head, and a ring having a hook thereon adapted to be introduced into the loop and allowing the ring to be swung over the upper end of the head for depressing the flesh hoop.

6. A banjo as defined in claim 5 in which the ring and the head have registering brackets disposed oppositely the hook and means for drawing the brackets together for tightening the membrane.

7. In a banjo, a banjo head, a membrane for the same having a flesh hoop telescoping over the end of the head, a hinged element telescoped over the head for depressing the hoop and adjustable means for holding the element in place.

8. A banjo as defined in claim 7 in which the pressure of the hinged element is substantially evenly distributed over the rim.

In testimony whereof we .affix our signatures.

HARRY E. MENZEMER. MANUEL CAMBR'E. 

